Radio and microwave treatment of oil wells

ABSTRACT

A method including exposing a substance to a first type of electromagnetic waves generated by a first device. The frequency of the first type of electromagnetic waves is in the radio frequency range and the device consumes no more than about 1,000 Watts of power. The exposure takes place for a period of time and at a frequency sufficient to detectably alter at least one physical property of the substance as it existed prior to the exposure.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/054,157, filed May 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method for altering physical properties ofhydrocarbonaceous material through the application of electromagneticwaves, specifically radio waves or a combination of radio waves andmicrowaves.

THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, amongst other things, a system for, anda method of, altering the composition of a hydrocarbonaceous material byexposing the hydrocarbonaceous material to combination ofelectromagnetic waves for a time and under conditions sufficient toalter the molecular structure or a physical property of at least onecomponent of the hydrocarbonaceous material. As used herein, the termphysical property may include London-Van DerWal forces of induction,hydrogen bonding, waxy paraffin solubility in crude oils, decreasedviscosity of complex fluids, and oil to water ratios in produced crudeoil etc. The exposure may be accomplished conveniently through the useof a radio frequency (RF) generator and a RF power amplifier, or throughthe use of such a RF generator and RF power amplifier in combinationwith a microwave generator and microwave amplifier combination. Theinvention enables rapid and economical improvement in the production ofhydrocarbon (e.g., gas and/or oil) wells while consuming a relativelylower level of power.

In an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a methodcomprising exposing a substance to a first type of electromagnetic wavesgenerated by a first device. The frequency of the first type ofelectromagnetic waves is in the radio frequency range and the deviceconsumes no more than about 1,000 Watts of power. The exposure takesplace for a period of time and at a frequency sufficient to detectablyalter at least one physical property of the substance as it existedprior to the exposure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is a processcomprising transmitting electromagnetic waves at one or more radiofrequencies through at least one first antenna (i) connected to, ordisposed within, a wellhead assembly, well casing or well tubing of ahydrocarbon well; (ii) disposed within a pipeline comprisinghydrocarbonaceous material; or (iii) disposed within a tank comprisinghydrocarbonaceous material. Each of the radio frequencies is in therange of about 1 to about 900 MHz and amplified to no more than about1000 Watts of total power, wherein the process is conducted for a timesufficient to modify at least one physical property of a substancewithin the well, pipeline, or tank while consuming no more than about1000 Watts of power.

One system of the invention comprises a frequency generator capable ofproducing frequency radio waves having a frequency of about 1 to about900 MHz, a RF power amplifier electrically coupled to the radiofrequency generator, a microwave frequency generator and microwaveamplifier producing microwaves, and a crude stream conduit, wherein eachof the frequency generators are disposed proximate to at least a portionof the crude stream conduit, for example, the wellhead of an oil or gaswell. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the systemfurther comprises a low pass filter assembly coupled to the at least oneof the amplifiers wherein the low pass filter assembly filters outfrequencies produced by the radio and/or microwave frequency generatorthat may interfere with commercial transmissions. It has been found thatthis invention has a variety of applications, including, but not limitedto, breaking down paraffin buildup within a well bore of an oil or gaswell. This and other applications of the invention may be carried out atrelatively low power output conditions, as noted above and as will befurther described below.

In one particular implementation of the invention, the radio frequencygenerator comprises four voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) that arecapable of producing a broad range of electromagnetic waves. Thespectrum of radio waves produced by this particular frequency generatormay include, e.g., ranges of 45-70 MHz, 60-110 MHz, 110-140 MHz, and140-200 MHz. It should be appreciated, however, that any commercialfrequency generator may be used that is capable of producing frequencieswithin a range of about 1 MHz to about 900 MHz and capable of producingthe power output as disclosed below when used in conjunction with the RFpower amplifier. In one implementation, the microwave frequencies aregenerated by a separate microwave generator and amplifier combinationpowered by a fly-back & Kuk voltage control, wherein a −8V, 3.5V, 5V,and 12V variable source may be used to control the microwave signal.However, it should be appreciated that any commercial microwavegenerator may be used that is capable of producing frequencies in therange of about 20 GHz to about 40 GHz and capable of producing the poweroutput as disclosed below when used in conjunction with the microwaveamplifier. For example, the microwave frequency generator is aconventional type, such as that which is commercially available fromPhase Matrix, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. The microwave frequenciesgenerated by the frequency generator in one implementation includeranges of about 19 to about 24 GHz and about 24 to about 30 GHz, whereinthese frequencies are generated and amplified with a power output of upto about 1 W. In another implementation, the power output of themicrowave amplifier may be up to about 8 W. The output of the very highfrequency generator is fed to a RF power amplifier. The RF poweramplifier may be any commercially available amplifier capable ofproducing a power output with a range of about 30 to about 1000 Watts.For example, the RF amplifier may be one commercially available from ARModular RF of Bothell, Wash. The AR Modular RF unit requires only 110V_(AC) and produces a maximum of about 40 watts of power for the veryhigh RF frequencies, whereas the microwave amplifier produces about 1Watt for the microwave frequencies. An example of a radio frequencygenerator is shown in the attached schematic diagram (consisting ofFIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D).

In another aspect of the invention, a method of altering the compositionof hydrocarbons down hole in a well is provided. This method comprisesplacing the frequency generators electrically coupled to theirrespective amplifiers as disclosed above proximate to a wellhead in sucha manner that the electromagnetic waves produced by the frequencygenerators may be transmitted into the well; generating a first signalfrom the radio frequency generator and RF amplifier, the first signalcomprising a radio frequency electromagnetic wave; generating a secondsignal from the microwave frequency generator and amplifier, the secondsignal comprising a microwave frequency electromagnetic wave; andtransmitting the first signal and the second signal into the well,wherein the first signal and the second signal alter the composition ofat least one hydrocarbon in the well.

In certain aspects of the invention, the first signal and the secondsignal may be combined and transmitted into the well simultaneously. Thefirst signal may be a carrier wave for the second signal, which may bethe program signal. The signals may be mixed or in certainimplementations, the first signal may be transmitted separately from thesecond signal.

The methods of this invention include generating a radio frequencyelectromagnetic wave. A radio frequency generator may be used to producefrequencies in the range of about 1 to about 900 MHz, and preferably,the radio frequency electromagnetic wave may be in the frequency rangesof 45-70 MHz, 60-110 MHz, 110-140 MHz, and 140-200 MHz, while mostpreferably, the radio frequencies may be in the range of about 40 toabout 50 MHz. The microwave frequency electromagnetic wave may be in theranges of about 19 to about 24 GHz and about 24 to about 30 GHz. Withoutbeing bound to theory, it is believed that the radio frequency rangesand the microwave frequency ranges may correspond to the quantum spinlevel of the nucleus and the electron, respectively. It is desirable foreach of the spin states energy levels of the nuclear protons andelectrons of hydrocarbons found in the well to be found within theranges of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for altering thecomposition of hydrocarbons down hole in a well comprises at least onefrequency generator capable of generating radio and microwavefrequencies, a crude stream conduit, wherein at least one of thefrequency generators is disposed proximate to the crude stream conduit.By proximate it is meant that the generator is sufficiently close to theconduit that the output has the desired effective on at least onehydrocarbon within the well bore. In most cases, the distance of thegenerator from the conduit will be something less than 2 meters. Thecrude stream conduit in this embodiment is a well comprising a wellheadassembly, tubing, and casing. The system further comprises an electricalconduit connecting the frequency generator to the tubing located in thewell and a wave-guide proximate to the tubing and casing, wherein thewaveguide is inserted into an annular space therebetween. The electricalconduit must be a coaxial cable, for example. The well head assembly,tubing, and casing will serve as the transmitting antenna for the 40 to100 MHz RF signal, while the wave-guide will be the transmitter for themicrowave 24-30 GHz signal. In an alternate embodiment, the well headassembly, tubing, and casing will also serve as the transmitting antennafor the microwave signal.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of altering thecomposition of hydrocarbons down hole in a well comprises placing atransmitting unit (electronic component case) comprising a RF frequencygenerator and a microwave frequency generator and respective poweramplifiers proximate to a crude stream conduit. In this embodiment, thecrude stream conduit is a well comprising a wellhead assembly, tubing,and casing. The transmitting unit may include a housing for thefrequency generators and respective amplifiers. The method furthercomprises attaching an electronic conduit to the well head assembly ortubing of the well and placing a wave-guide for the microwave frequencygenerated electromagnetic waves in the annular space (between the tubingand the casing). The electrical conduit may be a coaxial cable, forexample. The tubing and casing will be the transmitting antenna for the40 to 100 MHz RF, while the wave-guide will be the transmitter for themicrowave 24-30 GHz signal. A signal analyzer or oscilloscope may beused to adjust the radio and/or microwave signals to achieve optimalsignals. The method further comprises transmitting the radio signal andthe microwave signal into the well, wherein the radio signal and themicrowave signal alter the composition of at least one hydrocarbon inthe well. The transmitting unit may operate continuously orintermittently. In certain embodiments of the invention, it will operatecontinuously at first for a period of time (e.g., in the range of 100 to1000 hours), but later be set to an intermittent mode (e.g., pulsingevery 1800 to 3600 seconds). The duration of operation may be more orless than these durations, and will vary depending production volumesupon the desired effect and the magnitude of the problem confronted(blockage down hole, for example).

These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be further evident from the ensuing detailed description,including the appended figures and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of data obtained from the GC and MSanalysis of Gulf wax diluted in diesel samples before and aftertreatment in accordance with the present invention, with an overlaygraph showing the difference, in area percent, for each carbon chainlength present in the sample after treatment in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, together, are a schematic diagram of thecircuitry of a frequency generator of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a graphical representation of data obtained from theGC and MS analysis of docosane diluted in diesel samples before andafter treatment in accordance with the present invention, showing thedifference, in area percent, for each carbon chain length present in thesample before and after treatment in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of data obtained from the gaschromatography analysis of a Well #174 before and after treatment inaccordance with the present invention, showing the difference, in areapercent by gas chromatography, for the percentage of higher carbonfractions produced.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention ofthe system used to transmit radio and/or microwave transmissions tohydrocarbonaceous material. The block diagram includes the signalgenerating unit, the amplifier, the SWR meter, the impedance matchingnetwork, and the dipole antenna or well head assembly.

FIG. 6 is a Summary of Effective Permeability Results as disclosed inExample 8.

Like reference indicators are used to refer to like parts or stepsdescribed amongst the several figures.

FURTHER DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this invention takesadvantage of the spin properties of atoms and molecules. Proton orhydrogen spin state (1=½) is perturbed by electromagnetic radiation inthe 3 to 100 MHz range (NMR or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), and electronspin is perturbed by electromagnetic waves in the 24 to 30 GHz range(ESR or Electron Spin Resonance). If the energy supplied by theradiation is sufficient to alter the spin states of one or both theproton and the electron then the promoted spin states of each will actto accommodate or discourage hydrogen bonding or cleavage. In additionto bonding, radicals formed in the process of going from the groundstate to an elevated energy state are capable of abstracting hydrogenfrom carbon chains and leaving a point of attack in the molecule. If theattack takes place on adjacent carbons double bonds can result, but theattacks do not stop at this stage; they go on and carbon-carbon bondcleavage can result. This can take place even if the radiation is ofvery low energy (e.g., 31 total Watts) with the process of cleaving andisomerization occurring because of quantum tunneling. This then meansthat although carbon-carbon bond cleavage is energetically unfavorableunder the conditions of low power irradiation (from 30 to 300 Watts), itcan still take place because of the enormous incidence of wave particleinteraction under the conditions of this invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a process is provided toexpose a substance to electromagnetic waves and to detectably alter atleast one physical property of the substance as it existed prior to theexposure. Substances to be altered will include hydrocarbonaceousmaterial and will generally include hydrocarbons associated with oil andgas production and their location within well bores, formations,pipelines, storage tanks, and the like. The process includes providing aradio frequency generator capable of producing radio frequencies in therange of about 1 MHz to about 900 MHz. It should be appreciated that theradio frequency generator may be any commercially available frequencygenerator capable of producing the frequencies in the above mentionedrange. Preferably, the radio frequency generator may generateelectromagnetic waves having a frequency of about 1 MHz to about 100MHz, Still more preferable, the radio frequency generator may generateelectromagnetic waves having a frequency of about 30 MHz to about 50MHz. Still yet more preferable, the radio frequency generator maygenerate electromagnetic waves having a frequency of about 40 MHz toabout 50 MHz. Most preferably, the radio frequency generator maygenerate electromagnetic waves having a frequency of at least about 46.2MHz.

In one embodiment, a radio frequency power amplifier is electricallycoupled to the radio frequency generator. The radio frequency poweramplifier may be any RF power amplifier capable of receiving the signalfrom the frequency generator, wherein the signal has a frequency in therange of about 1 MHz to about 900 MHz, and further capable of producinga power output of about 30 W to about 1000 W. It should be appreciatedthat the frequency generator and amplifier may be separate components ormay be constructed so as to form an integral unit. The radio frequencygenerator and RF power amplifier in combination generate and amplifyelectromagnetic waves at a selected frequency in the range of thefrequencies mentioned above. It should be appreciated that the frequencygenerator and amplifier may be powered by a generator or other meansdepending on the environment in which the hydrocarbonaceous material isfound, e.g., a well site, pipeline facility, refinery, etc. Otherelectrical components such as, for example, a AC/DC converter or dutycycle timer may be used. The radio frequency generator and RF amplifierand other electrical components, including a microwave generator andamplifier discussed below, may be contained in a housing or transmittalunit.

The RF amplifier may be electrically coupled to a standing wave ratio(SWR) meter, wherein the SWR meter is electrically coupled to animpedance matching network in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. The SWR meter may be used to measure the forward power versusthe reflected power. The SWR meter is indicative of the impedance matchbetween the radio frequency generator and amplifier, i.e., signalgenerating unit, and the load impedance, which will be discussed furtherbelow. The impedance matching network will be electrically coupled to atransmitting device or antenna. It should be appreciated that in certainembodiments, the SWR meter and the impedance matching network may be anintegral unit. For example, the integral unit may be a MAC-200,manufactured by SGC of Bellevue, Wash. FIG. 5 illustrates a blockdiagram of the configuration in one embodiment of the present invention.

The antenna used in one embodiment may be the well head assembly,tubing, and casing of an oil or gas well. In such an embodiment, theimpedance matching network is electrically coupled to the well headassembly, casing, and tubing. One end of a coaxial cable is coupled tothe impedance matching network and the other end of the coaxial cablewill be electrically coupled to the well head assembly, casing, andtubing. Specifically, the braided outer conductor of the coaxial cablewill be attached to a metal stake placed in the surface of the earthproximate to the well to serve as the ground. The center wire of thecoaxial cable will be coupled to the well head assembly, typically theflow line of the well. As such, the entire well head assembly, casing,and tubing is conductive and serves as the antenna.

In another embodiment, the antenna may be at least one dipole antenna.In another embodiment, the antenna may be at least one monopole antenna.In certain embodiments, the dipole antenna may be a quarter wave or halfwave dipole antenna. The dipole antenna may be coupled to the impedancematching network by coaxial cable and run into the well head assemblythrough the gate valve in the well head assembly. In such an embodiment,the dipole antenna will be disposed within the annulus of a well borecomprising casing and tubing. The length of the dipole antenna will varybased on its characteristics, e.g., half wave, full wave, etc. In oneembodiment, the dipole antenna is disposed at a depth of about twelvefeet from the well head assembly in the annulus. It should beappreciated that the antenna may also be run through the tubing incertain embodiments.

Additionally, the monopole or dipole antenna may be disposed within apipeline or tank comprising hydrocarbonaceous material. In oneembodiment, a dipole antenna is inserted into one end of the pipeline,approximately eight to twelve feet into an inner central portion of theend portion of the pipeline. In another embodiment, a dipole or monopoleantenna is inserted into each end portion of the pipeline. In still yetanother embodiment, a monopole or dipole antenna may be inserted into atank comprising hydrocarbonaceous material. In the embodiments disclosedabove, the dipole or monopole antennas may transmit radio waves and/ormicrowaves. In certain embodiments, radio and microwaves may betransmitted on a single antenna. In at least one embodiment, radio waveswill be transmitted on a separate antenna from the antenna transmittingmicrowaves.

Optionally, a microwave frequency generator may be provided, themicrowave generator being any commercially available microwave generatorcapable of producing electromagnetic waves having a frequency range ofabout 20 to about 40 GHz. Preferably, the microwave frequency generatorproduces electromagnetic waves having a frequency range of about 20 GHzto about 30 GHz. Most preferably, the microwave frequency generatorproduces electromagnetic waves having a frequency range of at leastabout 24 GHz. In one embodiment, the microwave generator is electricallycoupled to a microwave amplifier, the amplifier being any commerciallyavailable amplifier capable of receiving the signal from the microwavefrequency generator, wherein the signal has a frequency in the range ofabout 20 GHz to about 40 GHz, and further capable of producing a poweroutput of up to about 8 W. It should be appreciated that the frequencygenerator and amplifier may be separate components or may be constructedso as to form an integral unit. In at least one embodiment, the radiofrequency generator and RF amplifier and the microwave frequencygenerator and amplifier are all housed in a single transmittal unit.Microwaves may be transmitted in conjunction with the radio waves, andmay be transmitted concurrently or before or after the radio waves aretransmitted.

In one embodiment, the microwave amplifier is electrically coupled tothe antenna. The antenna may be a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, orthe well head assembly, tubing, and casing disclosed above. Themicrowaves and radio waves may be transmitted from a single antenna oreach amplifier may be electrically coupled to a separate antenna. Incoupling the microwave amplifier to the antenna, a coaxial cable isused. One end of the coaxial cable is coupled to the microwave amplifierwhereas the other end of the coaxial cable is coupled to the dipoleantenna. In another embodiment, the antenna is the well head assembly,tubing, and casing. In such an embodiment, the end of the coaxial cablenot coupled to the microwave amplifier is coupled to the well headassembly, wherein the center wire of the coaxial cable is attached tothe polished rod of the well head assembly and the outer sheath of thecoaxial cable is attached to a metal stake urged into the surface of theearth, thus functioning as a ground wire.

The impedance matching network will function to match the outputimpedance of the signal generating unit, wherein the signal generatingunit comprises the radio frequency generator and RF amplifier, with theload impedance, wherein the load impedance may be defined as theimpedance of the antenna and the coaxial cable coupling the antenna tothe impedance matching network. The impedance matching network may beadjusted manually or automatically. In adjusting the impedance matchingnetwork, the impedance matching network comprises variable inductors andvariable capacitors capable of varying the impedance in order to matchthe output impedance of the signal generating unit with the loadimpedance. The impedance may be matched automatically by the use of suchdevices as the MAC-200 disclosed above. It should be appreciated thatthe foregoing system to transmit the electromagnetic waves generated bya radio frequency generator and the microwave frequency generatorconsumes no more than about 1,000 Watts of power

EXAMPLE 1

The foregoing has been confirmed by Gas Chromatography combined withMass Spectroscopy used to examine a sample of Gulf wax (food grade)diluted with xylene (27% by weight) before and after irradiation.Treatment was made by exposing samples to be treated to radio frequency(76 MHz) electromagnetic waves and microwaves (29 GHz) for a period of2.5 hours. Aliquots of 25 ml were taken from the very bottom of thegraduated cylinders treated and untreated samples and placed in twoweigh dishes. The samples were then placed in a room temperature (25°C.) vacuum oven and a 22 inch vacuum was pulled on the samples untilthey contained no more solvent. After the samples had lost all theirsolvent the weigh dishes were weighed to compare the amount of materialin each. The treated sample was found to contain 20% less by weight thanthe untreated sample, verifying that the RF/Microwave treatment keptmore of the wax in solution than the untreated sample.

EXAMPLE 2

Gulf wax (food grade) similarly diluted in diesel was further analyzedbefore and after RF/Microwave treatment. Results are summarized in Table1 below.

TABLE 1 Total Gulf Wax Charged grams Total Diesel grams 235.00 870.00 Wt% Wax Wt % Diesel 21.27 78.73 Percent Wax recovered Percent Waxrecovered by filtration by filtration (after RF treatment) (notreatment) 40.63 93.54 Percent Wax left in Diesel Percent Wax left inDiesel (treated) (no treatment) 59.37 6.46

Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed that theRF/Microwave treated sample gave a larger percentage of lower carbonnumber species, a clear decrease in the waxy carbon 18 to 30 chainlengths, and an increase in some 30+ carbon chains, all of which isquite consistent with carbon-carbon bond breakdown seen in other methodsof hydrocarbon cracking. FIG. 1 graphically illustrates the dataobtained.

EXAMPLE 3

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated, except that Aldrich reagentgrade, 99 percent pure docosane was substituted for the Gulf wax ofExample 2. The resulting Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry analysisis plotted on FIGS. 3A and 3B. It is apparent that the results do notshow clear cut indications of carbon-carbon cleavage. It appears likelythat the two electromagnetic wave frequencies interact with forminghydrogen bonds to prevent aggregation of the wax crystals to form waxdeposits.

EXAMPLE 4

At least one method as disclosed above was applied to seventeen oilwells located in West Texas, wherein radio (40.68 MHz) at 40 Watts andmicrowave (24.4 GHz) at 1 Watt signals were transmitted into the wellbore by a transmitting unit. All seventeen wells were observed to havepositive effects (e.g., increased oil production, increased total fluid,solid paraffin removal, flow line pressure drops, and added gasproduction) upon exposure to the radio and microwave signals. Thecombination frequency effects have proven to affect intermolecularaggregation, and anecdotal evidence has confirmed these frequencies areeffective in removing near well bore damage. Results of this experimentare summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Bbls Bbls Oil Water Bbls Oil Bbls Water Well No. before RFbefore RF after RF after RF Comments 348 2 15 16 107 Lots of gas 336 880 10 56 Lots of gas 527 8 112 9 112 Lots of gas and water 394 3 10 8 9Lots of gas 493 12 34 15 29 Lots of gas 550 9 20 11 13 Big wads waxreleased 498 15 20 17 20 Lots of gas 365 9 22 12 20 Lots of gas  91 1030 13 40 Lots of gas 538 9 50 11 65 Lots of gas  31 7 8 11 8 Lots of gas 27 6 11 9 12 Lots of gas 375 8 21 11 14 Lots of gas 438 8 44 12 53 3984 18 7 19 Lots of gas 174 3 22 25 12 Lots of gas Quantum 2 29 12 35 Lotsof gas Total 123 210 Increase 87 Bbl. Oil

EXAMPLE 5

Well testing by oil company personnel was performed after the treatmentsas disclosed above on these five oil wells located in West Texas for anextended period of time, the period of time lasting for at least twoweeks and summarized in Table 3 below. Radio waves (40.68 MHz) at 40Watts and microwave waves (24.4 GHz) at 1 Watt signals were transmittedinto the well bore by a transmitting unit at time intervals of no morethan two hours. All five wells were observed to have positive effects(e.g., increased oil production, increased total fluid, solid paraffinremoval, flow line pressure drops, and added gas production) uponexposure to the radio and microwave signals. The combination frequencyeffects have proven to affect intermolecular aggregation, and anecdotalevidence has confirmed these frequencies are effective in removing nearwell bore damage. Results of this experiment are summarized in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Well Bbls Oil Bbls Water Bbls Oil Bbls Water No. before RFbefore RF after RF after RF Comments 348 12 22 17 56 Lots of gas Testlasted 2 weeks 336 6 77 11 53 Lots of gas Test lasted 2 weeks 498 17 2223 27 Lots of gas Test lasted 3 weeks 438 12 48 16 56 Lots of gas Testlasted 2 weeks 174 9 5 14 9 Lots of gas Test lasted 2 weeks Total 56 81Increase 25 Bbls.Oil

EXAMPLE 6

Initially, a well was plugged off with paraffin wax and the operatingcompany could not pump any solvent into the well. The well was treatedwith radio signals and microwave signals of 40 MHz and 24 GHz,respectively. After an hour, the tubing pressure rose to 1,000 psi. Anattempt to flow the well was made, but the differential pressure was toogreat. After opening the flow line, the pressure dropped back to 0 psiand it took another 20 minutes to gain 1,000 psi. The flow line wasopened again and the pressure dropped to 0 psi again. The tubingpressure was increased to 1,500 psi. A subsequent operator observed thatthe wax obstruction was removed down to 750 feet. It appears theexposure of the paraffin wax to the radio waves and microwaves resultedin a decrease in the obstruction of the paraffin wax in the well.

EXAMPLE 7

Three wells were treated with the same RF and microwave frequency setup, except that power for the VHF RF transmitter was 50 Watts and thetransmitters were connected to two antennae, and those were insertedtwelve (12) feet into the back side annular space of a low-pressure wellthat had its pressure bled off prior to antennae placement. The unit waspowered up and remained on for two (2) hours. Two days later, well testwas run on each well, and production increase was 5 bbls. oil increaseper day on two of the wells, and 3 bbls. oil increase in production onthe third.

EXAMPLE 8

Formation material from natively oil-wet sandstone was used in thisstudy. Cylindrical test samples were drilled using Isopar-L as the bitcoolant and lubricant. The samples were trimmed to right cylinders priorto use. Mineralogical information had previously been determined and islisted below

Summary of X-Ray Diffraction (wt. %) Mineral Phases (wt. %) Quartz 62Plagioclase Feldspar 8 Potassium Feldspar 10 Dolomite 1 Kaolinite 4 Micaand/or Illite 2 Mixed-Layer Illite₉₀/Smectite₁₀ 12

Flow Test Conditions:

Temperature: 150° F.

Net Confining Stress: 1500 psi

Backpressure=200 psi

Fluids:

Brine: Two percent by weight potassium chloride (2% KCl) solution,prepared with deionized water and reagent grade salts. Filtered andevacuated prior to use.

Crude Oil: Heavy crude oil known to contain asphaltenes. Viscosity attest temperature=16.2 centipoise (cp).

Mineral Oil: Isopar-L, a laboratory grade mineral oil. Filtered andevacuated prior to use. Viscosity at test temperature=0.96 cp.

Flow Test Procedures:

Effective Permeability to Water at Residual Oil Saturation, KwSor(Native-State Condition)

The sample was loaded under confining stress in a HASSLER loadcoreholder. The 2% KCl brine was injected against 200 psi backpressureat a constant flow rate. Differential pressure was monitored and aneffective permeability to water at residual oil (KwSor) is calculated.KwSor=3.04 mD (millidarcies)

Effective Permeability to Oil at Irreducible Water Saturation, KoSwi

Heavy crude oil injection against 200 psi backpressure followed brineinjection to establish irreducible water saturation and to potentiallyplace asphaltenes on the grain surfaces. Differential pressure and flowrate were monitored and an effective permeability to oil at irreduciblewater saturation (KoSwi) was calculated. Crude Oil KoSwi=0.890 mD.

Isopar-L was injected against 200 psi backpressure to remove the crudeoil from the pore space. Differential pressure and flow rate weremonitored to allow calculation of KoSwi prior to RF treatment.KoSwi=0.937 mD.

RF Treatment

The coreholder assembly with the test sample still loaded, wastransported for RF treatment and returned. The RF treatment was carriedout as follows: Core sample was placed inside the rubber bladder of aHassler-type core holder between the two feed lines of the end plates.The RF transmission line ground (outer shield of the coaxial cable) wasplace on one end feed line and the center of the coaxial cable wasattached to the other feed line. The microwave transmission line waswrapped around the rubber bladder (which is permeable to both RF andmicrowave). 50 watts of RF at 40 MHz and 1 watt of microwave at 24 GHzwas applied for approximately 7.5 minutes. Power was then turned off andthe sample was ready for analysis.

Effective Permeability to Oil at Irreducible Water Saturation, KoSwiPost Treatment

Following RF treatment, Isopar-L was injected against 200 psibackpressure. Differential pressure and flow rate were monitored toallow calculation of KoSwi after RF treatment. KoSwi aftertreatment=1.80 mD, indicating a significant improvement in oilproductivity.

Effective Permeability to Water at Residual Oil Saturation, KwSor PostTreatment

The 2% KCl brine was injected against 200 psi backpressure at a constantflow rate to establish residual oil saturation. Differential pressurewas monitored and KwSor after treatment was calculated as 1.25 mD, adecline in water productivity exceeding 50%. A summary of effectivepermeability results is illustrated in the graph found in FIG. 6. Fromthe numbers presented in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the ratio ofhydrocarbon effective permeability (e.g., crude oil) to water effectivepermeability (the oil to water mobility ratio) increased from 0.3 priorto treatment to 1.44 after treatment. This represents a substantialincrease in the permeability of hydrocarbon and concurrent substantialdecrease in the permeability of water in the formation sample whichunderwent treatment.

While the invention has been described here in the context of down holeapplications in oil & gas well treatment, it will be appreciated bythose of at least ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of thepresent disclosure, that the invention has applications in many otherareas in which the alteration of a one or more physical properties of asubstance, under low power consumption conditions, could be desirable.Accordingly, the invention should not be construed as limited to theparticular applications described in detail herein.

1. A method comprising exposing a substance to a first type ofelectromagnetic waves generated by a first device, the frequency of thefirst type of electromagnetic waves being in the radio frequency rangeand the device consuming no more than about 1,000 Watts of power, theexposure taking place for a period of time and at a frequency sufficientto detectably alter at least one physical property of the substance asit existed prior to the exposure.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the frequency of the first type of electromagnetic waves is inthe range of about 1 to about 900 MHz.
 3. The method according to claim2, wherein the frequency of the first type of electromagnetic waves isin the range of about 1 to about 100 MHz.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the frequency of the first type of electromagneticwaves is in the range of about 30 to about 50 MHz.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1 further comprising transmitting the first type ofelectromagnetic waves to the substance from a first antenna.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5 wherein the first antenna is a well headassembly, casing, and tubing.
 7. The method according to claim 5 whereinthe first antenna is a dipole antenna or a monopole antenna, the firstantenna being disposed within (i) an annulus of a well bore comprisingcasing and tubing; (ii) a pipeline comprising hydrocarbonaceousmaterial; or (iii) a tank comprising hydrocarbonaceous material.
 8. Themethod according to 6 or 7 further comprising adjusting a load impedanceof the first antenna to match an output impedance of the first device.9. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the frequency of thefirst type of electromagnetic waves is in the range of about 40 to about50 MHz.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of exposingthe substance to the first type of electromagnetic waves is carried outat least while concurrently exposing the substance to a second type ofelectromagnetic waves generated by a second device which together withthe first device, consumes no more than about 1,000 Watts of power,wherein the frequency of the second type of electromagnetic waves is inthe microwave frequency range.
 11. The method according to claim 10,wherein the frequency of the second type of electromagnetic waves is inthe range of about 20 to about 40 GHz.
 12. The method according to claim11, wherein the frequency of the second type of electromagnetic waves isin the range of about 20 to about 30 GHz.
 13. The method according toclaim 12, wherein the frequency of the first type of electromagneticwaves is in the range of about 40 to about 50 MHz.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 10 or 13, further comprising transmitting the firsttype of electromagnetic waves to the substance from a first antenna. 15.The method according to claim 10 or 13, further comprising transmittingthe second type of electromagnetic waves to the substance from a secondantenna.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the second antennais a well head assembly, casing, and tubing.
 17. The method according toclaim 15 wherein the second antenna is a dipole antenna or monopoleantenna, the second antenna being disposed within (i) an annulus of awell bore comprising casing and tubing; (ii) a pipeline comprisinghydrocarbonaceous material; or (iii) a tank comprising hydrocarbonaceousmaterial.
 18. The method according to claim 14 further comprisingadjusting a load impedance of the first antenna to match an outputimpedance of the first device.
 19. The method according to claim 10 or13, further comprising transmitting the first type of electromagneticwaves to the substance and the second type of electromagnetic waves tothe substance from a single antenna.
 20. A method comprisingtransmitting electromagnetic waves at one or more radio frequenciesthrough at least one first antenna (i) connected to, or disposed within,a wellhead assembly, well casing or well tubing of a hydrocarbon well;(ii) disposed within a pipeline comprising hydrocarbonaceous material;or (iii) disposed within a tank comprising hydrocarbonaceous material,the radio frequencies each being in the range of about 1 to about 900MHz and amplified to no more than about 1000 Watts of total power,wherein the process is conducted for a time sufficient to modify atleast one physical property of a substance within the well, pipeline, ortank while consuming no more than about 1000 Watts of power.
 21. Themethod according to claim 20, wherein the radio frequency is in therange of about 40 to about 50 MHz.
 22. The method according to claim 21further comprising generating the electromagnetic waves from a signalgenerating unit.
 23. The method according to claim 22 further comprisingadjusting a load impedance of the first antenna to match an outputimpedance of the signal generating unit.
 24. The method according toclaim 20 further comprising transmitting electromagnetic waves at amicrowave frequency of at least about 24 GHz through at least one secondantenna (i) connected to, or disposed within, the wellhead assembly,well casing or well tubing of the well (ii) disposed within a pipelinecomprising hydrocarbonaceous material; or (iii) disposed within a tankcomprising hydrocarbonaceous material, the microwave frequency beingamplified to consume energy at a rate of no more than about 8 Watts,wherein the first antenna and the second antenna may be separateantennae or may be combined into the form of a single antenna, whereinthe process is conducted for a time sufficient to modify at least onephysical property of a substance within the well, pipeline, or tankwhile consuming no more than about 1000 Watts of power.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 23 further comprising transmitting electromagneticwaves at a microwave frequency of at least about 24 GHz through at leastone second antenna (i) connected to, or disposed within, the wellheadassembly, well casing or well tubing of the well (ii) disposed within apipeline comprising hydrocarbonaceous material; or (iii) disposed withina tank comprising hydrocarbonaceous material, the microwave frequencybeing amplified to consume energy at a rate of no more than about 8Watts, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are separateantennae, wherein the process is conducted for a time sufficient tomodify at least one physical property of a substance within the well,pipeline, or tank while consuming no more than about 1000 Watts ofpower.
 26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least onephysical property comprises the effective permeability ratio ofhydrocarbon to water for at least a portion of a well formation.
 27. Themethod according to claim 26, wherein the ratio of hydrocarbonpermeability to water permeability for at least a portion of the wellformation is increased.
 28. The method according to claim 27, whereinthe ratio of hydrocarbon permeability to water permeability for at leasta portion of the well formation is increased by a factor of 2 or more.29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the ratio of hydrocarbonpermeability to water permeability for at least a portion of the wellformation is increased by a factor of 4 or more.